2010 academic year to open at Hebrew U. with more than 23,000 students

New this year: Promotion of healthy campus

Jerusalem, October 7, 2010 - The new academic year will open at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Sunday, October 10, 2010.

More than 23,000 students will be enrolled in studies this year at the university – among them, 11,450 undergraduate students, 6,820 master's degree students and 2,670 Ph.D. students. Almost 2,000 students from 60 different countries will be studying at the Rothberg International School this year.

Among the most popular courses (those that accepted the highest number of applications) are: medicine (1450), economics (990), dentistry (880) and business management (820). In comparison to last year, there was an increase in applications especially for medicinal science, for the army medicine track, and for soil sciences.

The courses which were the hardest to be accepted onto this year were: medicine, medicinal science, pharmacy, dentistry, occupational therapy (only 8 percent of applicants were accepted), psychology, chemistry and biology, pharmacy and the 'Amirim' program (only 10-16 percent of candidates were accepted).

Healthy Campus

This year, the university will launch a new initiative – "Healthy Campus". The aim of the initiative is to encourage students studying at the university to conduct a healthy way of life focusing on nutrition and exercise. Activities and initiatives planned include the opening of a running track on campus; signposting on campus with tips on health and physical exercise; free sports classes; additional parking for bicycles; and nutritional advice to the cafeterias on campus.

On the first day of studies, members of Knesset and members of the Knesset Caucus for Higher Education will visit Mount Scopus campus from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Expansion of the 'Cornerstone' program

Following the success of the 'cornerstone' program – initiated by Hebrew University Rector, Prof. Sarah Stroumsa, to provide students with a broader knowledge outside of their field of study – the number of courses will be increased this year from 40 to 100. Among the courses most in demand are: world history by Dr. Yuval Harari; the magic of biology by Prof. Howard (Chaim) Cedar; the beauty of mathematics by Prof. Gil Kalai; Life and death: a view from a human cell by Prof. Dror Mevurach; and Israel as a Jewish democratic state by Prof Ruth Gavison.

New programs

The Federmann School of Public Policy and Government are offering a new master's program in Development Studies. The inter-disciplinary program will equip students with the theory and practice related to the work of international organizations in the Third Sector and community development.

The Melton Center for Jewish Education, together with Hebrew Union College, is offering a new master's program with a specialization in Pluralistic Jewish Education. The program will combine academic training of educators with a practical emphasis and aims to create a leadership of educators dedicated to the world of pluralistic Jewish education and its challenges.

A new master's program in Health Systems Management will open this year. The program, being run by the Braun School of Public Health, in cooperation with the Hadassah Medical Center and the School of Business Administration, will include courses on health economics, making decisions in medical management, biotechnology management and marketing management.

The Paul Baerwald School of Social Work and Social Welfare is opening a master's studies program in Social Work for graduates from other fields. The program will include professional training and graduate studies and will provide opportunities to work in the profession.

The Faculty of Science and the Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Science are opening an inter-faculty master's program in Hydrology and Water Resources. The program will equip students with the scientific and professional knowledge in the professional and research fields of natural science and hydrology and will train scientists and professionals to deal with theoretical and technical problems in the field.

For further information: Rebecca Zeffert, Dept. of Media Relations, the Hebrew University, rebeccaz@savion.huji.ac.il.

University Web site: www.huji.ac.il